Linda,
We witnessed something today at a tournament that has us
perplexed. Play was being conducted without Lift, Clean, and Place being
allowed. A player's drive landed in the fairway and rolled between 10-15 before
coming to rest in a deep divot or spot where a previously embedded ball
(doubtful) had landed. From our view, there appeared to be only about 1/3 of
the ball resting above the fairway surface.
The player approached the ball, marked it with his tee,
removed it, tossed it to his caddie for cleaning and then placed the ball about
6" to the left of the spot he had removed it from. The player proceeded to
hit his approach to the green and then 2-putted. The player carded a par on the
hole.
What is your guidance as to this player's actions? It should
be noted that he did not consult his playing partners, nor ask for a rules
official (at that moment) to make a determination as to what would have been
the proper course of action. I think the fair question is - can a ball be
considered to be embedded in an obstruction caused either by another player's
divot or a previously embedded ball mark in the fairway?
Thanks in advance for your response!
Lou
Dear Lou,
There is no free relief from divots. Nor is there free
relief for a ball that rolls into a depression created by another player’s ball
(although I must mention that it is a very inconsiderate player who does not
repair an embedded ball mark).
The player incurs a two-stroke penalty for a breach of Rule
18-2a.
Linda
Copyright © 2013 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
